Finger for VAX/Alpha VMS V5 and later, Version: V51.1.35, July 2000

Submitted by: Terry Kennedy, St. Peter's College, Jersey City, NJ.

Operating system: VAX/Alpha VMS V5 or later
Source language: Fortran, Macro-32
Keywords: Networking, System Management - VMS, Utilities - VMS

Abstract: VMS Finger performs three main functions:

o Lists the current users on the system, along with the location, pro-
  gram name, etc.  In this mode it functions like  a personalized SHOW
  SYSTEM program.

o Searches for a specific user, displays the above information if they
  are logged in and  additionally shows information about  their mail,
  last login, and a personal message file they may supply.

o Functions as a DECnet server for  both in-bound and out-bound links.
  Remote users may finger the local system, and local users can finger
  other systems on the network. As part of the network finger protocol
  it performs explicit route-through.  This is valuable in an internet
  situation such as going from DECnet to TCP/IP, etc. This program can
  communicate  with other VAXen,  RSTS/E  systems,  and DECSYSTEM-20's
  over DECnet,  as well as TCP/IP (Internet)  and RSCS (Bitnet) hosts,
  if the appropriate communication package  is available.  It can also
  communicate with LAT devices  (terminal servers) if the DEC TSM pro-
  duct is available.

In a large network  Finger can be an invaluable tool to  locate users,
see if they got your mail, etc.

This is a new version of VMS Finger, which was originally submitted by
Dr. Richard Garland of Columbia University, New York, NY.  Many others
have contributed  to the development  of this package as well.  Please
refer to the sources for detailed credits.

Notes: 1) For VAX systems running VMS V4, see DECUS No. VS0014.
       2) For PDP-11 systems running RSTS/E, see DECUS No. ??????.